Esprit Arena, DüsseldorfFriendly

An inexperienced German side, containing only four starters from the World Cup Final, go down to visitors Argenteina.

In a match that was billed by everyone apart from him as a 're-match', Jogi reminded everyone of which one counted the most by being presented with his Kicker 'Coach of the Year' award before the game.

"We made some mistakes in our defence but I can't really blame the team because the squad has never played together like this," the world champions' coach told reporters. "Sometime you have to accept it."We played pretty well during the first half and created three or four great chances. But we did not convert them."Some of our players are not in their best shape and others are injured. We have to classify this match and Sunday is what counts."But we have to think about this match and I think tomorrow [Thursday] we will add some players to the squad because it was obvious how some players had problems tonight. "Plus, I don't think [defender] Mats Hummels will be totally fit for Scotland."Low insisted, though, that he always thought that he would have to deal with the effects of a World Cup hangover."I expect some difficulties during the next six months," he mused. "It is never easy after a huge success to be ready again soon."We have many players who are injured or have been injured for a long time. Also, we are the world champions now and everybody is hunting us." - from goal.com

Jogi also spoke out about the whistling from some directions to returnee Mario Gomez.

"It was unfortunate because he's missed seven months injured and has only played a single competitive match."We don't like to hear any member of the team booed. It was important for us to see how Mario moves and see what shape he's in. It would have been crazy for us not to do that." - from express.co.uk

"It's nice to come together one last time to say farewell to all the players who are not with us anymore," Löw said."It wasn't really possible to do that after the World Cup in Berlin. But after tonight's gathering that is going to be the end of the World Cup (celebrations)."

"If only you could see how my desk looks right now," muttered Joachim Löw, a faintly flustered look flashing beneath that sweep of obsidian hair."There are so many letters to answer, so many dinners to attend, so much I need to do. I just have to see how I can best deal with the very little free time I have."

A superb article from the Daily Telegraph, with quotes from yesterday's press conference.

Minutes before the press conference was due to start, reports on Sky Sports Deutschland revealed Thomas Schneider as the new assistant coach.

Joachim Löw opened the press conference by talking of the 'many magical moments' after the triumph in Brazil, moments that will last for an eternity. He spoke of each one enjoying the World Cup to the full, but also of the need for some space afterwards to process the joy and emotion, adding "One must turn to new goals, new tasks again."

Next up was a tribute to his assistant for the past 111 games: "Hansi Flick, who has been with me a long time, will no longer be there. He has a major share in our success. I'm pleased for him that he has now taken a new job as sports director. He has the head, the heart, and dedication to fulfill this post. I look forward to our new partnership." He also thanked Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker for all they had contributed to the national team.

"I have always been able to rely on Bastian in the past," Löw said to the gathered journalists. "He has the goal of playing in the EURO 2016, and I can tell that he is motivated to perform for Germany.""He is a legitimate replacement for Philipp. The decision was clear for me, for the next two years until the European Championships," Löw added."If he isn't there in a game then we have strong personalities who can take over," he said. "People like Manuel Neuer, Sami Khedira or Thomas Müller."

"Thomas is a very good fit for us. I'm 100 per cent convinced by his abilities as a coach and by his personal qualities. I'm very much looking forward to working with him, he'll be a wonderful addition to our team."

Thomas Schneider played under Joachim Löw during his spell as coach at Stuttgart. Jogi described him as a 'very talented player', whose career was hampered by injuries. He will take his seat on the bench from the October qualifiers.

"The players had a short holiday and have to find their form, some have light physical problems. There were only five weeks between the final and the start of the Bundesliga. The World Cup was a strength-sapping exercise. It will take a few months for the players to recover their levels."

"I think it's every coach's objective to do this," [constantly better previous performances] he shot back. "Any coach who believes otherwise has already lost. We have to improve our younger players' successes to maintain our standard. But no matter who I talk to, I sense the ambition to relive these moments in 2016 again." from the Daily Telegraph

"Now that it starts again it is about new targets and about new challenges. One must face new tasks. And our new target now is of course to approach and play the qualifcation round for the European Championships in the style of a world champion in order to qualify. I think our next big aim after the 2014 final in Rio should be, and must be, to reach the Euro final in Paris. even if it is still a long time until then."

On his South American opponents tomorrow, Jogi spoke of their class, but dismissed any suggestions that the result of a friendly could be counted as 'revenge' for a World Cup final!

"Argentina can defend incredibly well and they have players in the attack, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria, even if Lionel Messi is missing, they have world class players in their attack. Sergio Aguero and so on. So Argentina are, as always, strong fighters, and they have very, very good football skills. And I think it is, of course, a nation that is absolutely on the same level as we are. One has seen that in the World Cup final. But this is not revenge, because Argentina can't bring this title back to them now. So there won't be revenge. With regard to this, the game in July was much more important than the game now. But I think for both teams it is good preparation for the things to come for the teams in the next weeks." from the guardian

Team news:- Manuel Neuer will lead the side tomorrow- Jerome Boateng will miss the Argentina game. Sebastian Rudy has been called up. "I am fully convinced of Sebastian's abilities," Jogi said "It was always clear that he can be a real alternative. When he was with us, he has integrated well into the team and made a good impression in training. With Hoffenheim he has had a very good start to the season. He has deserved deserved the call-up." from dfb.de- Erik Durm is an option for the left-back position and will probably play on Wednesday. Impressed in Brazil and has advantage of playing at Dortmund. Benedikt Höwedes could then move back to the centre. Antonio Rüdiger is a candidate for the right, very good in one-on-ones.

Jogi also spoke of the team spirit in Brazil being an integral part of their success. Special mention was made of the reserve players.

Joachim Löw has named 18 members of his World Cup squad for the upcoming September matches. Mario Gomez and Marco Reus are recalled following injury. Also in the squad is Stuttgart defender Antonio Rüdiger who started against Poland in May. - 29 August 2014

From the 23 taken to Brazil, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose have announced their retirement from international football and will be honoured before the game, as will Hansi Flick. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Shkodran Mustafi will both travel to Düsseldorf with the squad, but will not play. Bastian is currently injured and Shkodran has only recently resumed training with new club Valencia.

"We are delighted that in Dusseldorf the entire team of players, coaches, staff and DFB delegation will again come together. It is the team with which we prepared for the World Cup and had for the tournament in Brazil. This will be for us in a sense the final conclusion of the World Cup in Brazil, before we fully focus on fresh large goals. " from dfb.de

"I'm really happy that Marco [Reus] is with us again and has fully recovered from his injury," exclaimed Löw. "I know Mario Gomez to be someone who works incredibly hard and with great discipline. He deserved this call-up and if he's fit he'll bolster our attack. Antonio Rüdiger was with us for the game against Poland and I had a very good impression of him then. He can be an alternative option in defence.""For us it's challenging and exciting to play Argentina again, but this time on home soil," said Löw. "I have a lot of respect for their side. They'll all be really up for it coming to Germany and won't gift us anything. It's a difficult test and one that we welcome." "We won the World Cup but that's now in the past," admitted Löw. "We want to integrate new players, ensure that it won't be as long a wait for the next title, as our aim is to compete for the UEFA Euro 2016 crown. We'll be looking for three points against Scotland but we won't underestimate our opponents. They play with passion and a lot of heart."